If we’re supposed to get along and keep everyone happy, going with the flow may seem the right thing to do. For some choices, following majority opinion is advisable; but in some situations it certainly isn’t. Remember that Daniel and his three Hebrew friends in Babylon did the right thing by not following the crowd. The crowd around you isn’t as blatantly heathen as the Babylonians were; so perhaps you feel that you can determine God’s will in a situation based primarily on what your friends think, especially your Christian friends.
Consider an example from the book of Galatians. To understand the Galatians passage, we begin in Acts 10-11 where we read of Peter’s dream involving a large sheet coming down from heaven carrying various creatures. The lesson of the vision during this great time of change for the Jews was that Christ’s salvation was available to all mankind, not only Jews. In Acts 11, Peter explains this message to the Jewish Christians, and we see them understand and learn: “’If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?’ When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life’”(Acts 11:17-18). Here, Peter did the right thing, and others learned truth from him.
However, in Galatians we read that, despite knowing this truth, Peter allowed fear of what his religious friends would think to dictate his actions. Paul writes regarding Peter, “For before certain men came from James, [Peter] was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy”(Galatians 2:12-13). Peter caved to his fear of what his religious friends would think and in doing so led others astray.
He’d caved another time, as well, but that time it was to unbelievers. When his Savior was taken by officers, and others recognized Peter as a follower, he denied: “‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly”(Luke 22:60-62).
Imagine Peter’s heart when his Lord turned and looked at him! Imagine how Peter felt when Paul had to publicly confront him “before them all,” beginning in Galatians 2:14 so that all could learn!
Pray for wisdom and strength to do right, regardless of what those around you promote or do. Then pray for a heart that grieves when it realizes it has sinned. Peter’s grief over his sin allowed the Lord to use him greatly. God wants to use you!